AUTISM SUPPORT ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM (ASAP)

The ASAP program was established in 2006 as an alternative support model to traditional family support and residential programs. Provider based family support services over time have been very difficult to administer due to staffing shortages, increased transportation costs, and the lack of a location for staff to take children if they didn’t want to be in the community and couldn’t go home. Residential services (Group home, Supervised Apartment, or Professional Parent services), involve the child moving out of the home for services which is hard for many families and children and is very expensive. CTA developed the ASAP model to fill the gap between these two services with the primary objective of keeping families together and preventing or at least delaying out of home placement. 

What is ASAP?         

ASAP provides support to children with autism on a daily basis after the child is out of school and on Saturdays in a home setting. ASAP also provides support to the child during the summer and on holidays when the child is out of school. ASAP services are provided in a home setting that is provided by CTA. Supports are typically provided in groups of 6-10 children per site.

How is your child supported?           

CTA works with each family to decide what types of supports the child needs and how the supports will be provided. From these meetings, CTA staff develop an Individualized Support Plan (ISP) and an Individualized Behavior Support Plan designed to address any problem behaviors the child may exhibit. CTA reports progress made with each child on at least a monthly basis and is available to answer any questions that parents or others may have. CTA also works with family members to teach them successful methods of interacting and teaching their child.

What are the objectives of ASAP services?

• Keep families together as long as possible. ASAP services can delay and hopefully prevent out of home placement.
• Provide much needed respite and support to families – often times, siblings of children with autism struggle due to the amount of time parents must dedicate to the child with autism. ASAP gives parents more time with their other children or to fulfill other responsibilities.
• Provide support to families during the summer and on holidays when schools are closed – a big relief to parents who work or have other obligations on these days.
• Skill building – alternative communication, relaxation, toileting, behavior management, daily living skills, etc.
• Community participation – CTA staff support each child to participate in the community activities they enjoy and help them experience new activities.
• Reducing the occurrence of inappropriate behavior by the child and teaching functional replacement behaviors. CTA Behavior Specialists work directly with each child, their family, and train other staff.
• Have fun!

Where are ASAP services provided?

Currently, CTA provides ASAP services in the Salt Lake Valley, but would like to provide services throughout the state of Utah as desired by families and funding sources.

Why CTA?

Families can find many different provider organizations in Utah that provide services to people with developmental disabilities, but very few that specialize in serving children with autism spectrum disorders. CTA has successfully supported children with autism in many different kinds of support models since 1985. CTA employs several staff with many years of experience in supporting children with autism.

How do I find out more?

Contact Dustin Erekson at (801) 268-4887 ext. 25 or go to www.ctautah.org

How does my child become eligible for the program?

ASAP services are funded by the Division of Services for People With Disabilities (DSPD). To find your local DSPD office, go to www.dspd.gov. and click on Region Locations. Ask for an intake or eligibility worker when you call.